Photo/Illutration Centerfielder Lars Nootbaar makes a sliding catch in the top of the third inning of Japan’s World Baseball Classic opening game against China on March 9. (Nikkan Sports)

In the span of only a week or so since he landed in his mother’s native land, Lars Nootbaar already has the home crowd chanting his Japanese name. 

The 25-year-old St. Louis Cardinals right fielder was greeted with thunderous applause from the fans in the sold-out Tokyo Dome when he stepped in the batter’s box on March 9.

“Ta-tsu-ji! Ta-tsu-ji!”

The fans screamed his middle name, which his Japanese mother, Kumiko, named after her father, Tatsuji Enokida.

The fans were ready to sing a newly created “ouenka” (fight song) dedicated to Nootbaar.

Singing such a song is a tradition at every Nippon Professional Baseball game.

But the leadoff hitter did not even give them a chance as he drove the Chinese starting pitcher’s first pitch, a 137-kph fastball, back up the middle and into center field.

The apparently shaken pitcher ended up walking the next three hitters, including sluggers Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka Murakami.

Nootbaar came around to score Samurai Japan’s first run of the World Baseball Classic.

It was a historic moment for Japanese baseball, considering that Nootbaar is the first “Nikkei” American to represent the national team.

On the day before the opening game against China, an emotional Nootbaar said that representing his mother’s country is his biggest joy and honor.

He thanked his teammates and coaching staff for accepting him and making “me feel welcome and being part of the family” through the team dinners and practices.

His family, including Kumiko, 57, flew from Southern California to watch Nootbaar’s dream-come-true moment from the stands.

Kumiko said before the game that Nootbaar is the type of player who gets even more motivated when playing in front of a huge crowd of spectators.

In that sense, the opening night was perfect for him, and he showed Japanese fans his value to the team not only offensively but also defensively.

In the top of the third inning, a Chinese hitter lined Ohtani’s pitch into the gap between second base and center field.

Nootbaar made a mad dash and sliding catch, giving a boost to Ohtani.

Nootbaar definitely injected energy to the team. He also introduced the “pepper grinder” celebration schtick, which the Cardinals adopted last year.

As soon as he reached first base after singling in the first inning, Nootbaar yelled and looked toward the Japanese bench while making a gesture of grinding pepper.

His teammates, including Ohtani, mimicked him. So did the elated fans.

Nootbaar said he and Ohtani discussed importing the St. Louis tradition to the Japanese team.

During the pre-WBC games, Nootbaar and Ohtani debuted it, and everyone loved the gesture.

Nootbaar said it is a way to show “team comradery” and he is glad that everybody enjoyed it.

Mizuno Corp., Samurai Japan’s official uniform partner, did not waste any time in seizing a business opportunity.

The company decided to make a towel, 34 by 81 centimeters, with a motif of a pepper-grinding gesture, an illustration of pepper mills and a Samurai Japan logo.

With a price tag of 3,300 yen ($24), including tax, the new product is expected to go on sale on March 10.

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